Bogdan Ilie Vătăjelu (born 24 April 1993) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Liga I club Sepsi OSK.
Club career
Early career Vătăjelu is a product of the Steaua București youth academy and made his professional debut with the reserves in 2010. Making 25 appearances for the reserves, he joined CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea in 2011 playing there until 2013 in Liga II.
In 2013, he signed for Metalul Reșița where he had a brief spell playing in 14 outings. He was named the captain after playing just two matches. During his time in the club, it was reported that Premier League club Sunderland, Championship club Watford and even Spanish club RCD Mallorca showed their interest in signing him.
Universitatea Craiova In January 2014, Vătăjelu penned a three-year deal with CS Universitatea Craiova, who were playing in the second league at that time. He made 14 appearances in the remainder of the season and helped his team achieve promotion to the Liga I.
Vătăjelu was Universitatea's most featured player in the 2014–15 season and in 2016 he eventually gained team captaincy. On 2 October 2016, he scored from action in a 1–2 loss against his former club Steaua București.
Sparta Prague On 27 December 2016, Vătăjelu signed a -year contract with Czech club Sparta Prague for an undisclosed transfer fee, rumoured to be around €1.4 million.
Return to Universitatea Craiova On 26 June 2019, Vătăjelu rejoined Universitatea Craiova by signing a four-year contract.
Universitatea Cluj On 24 June 2023, Universitatea Cluj announced the signing of Bogdan Vătăjelu as a free agent, following his departure from CS Universitatea Craiova.
During the 2023–24 season, Vătăjelu made several appearances for the club. In February 2024, his contract with Universitatea Cluj was terminated by mutual consent.
FC Aktobe Shortly after leaving the club, he signed with FC Aktobe in Kazakhstan, marking his first experience playing outside Romania.
His contract with Aktobe expired at the end of 2025, and the club confirmed that he would not continue with the team for the 2026 season.
International career Between 2011 and 2012, he played for Romania under-19 team on four occasions. On 25 May 2014, while still in the second division, he was called to the senior national team for the friendlies against Algeria and Albania.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSteaua II București2009–10Liga II100———1002010–11250———250Total350———350CSM Râmnicu Vâlcea2011–12Liga II22100——2212012–1322000——220Total44100——441Metalul Reșița2013–14Liga II14010——150Universitatea Craiova2013–14Liga II140———1402014–15Liga I33120—103612015–1636510—103852016–1721220—00232Total104850—201118Sparta Prague2016–17Czech First League60—00—602017–181902110—2212018–19901010—110Total3403120—391Jablonec (loan) 2018–19Czech First League142———142Universitatea Craiova2019–20Liga I2322061—3122020–212805010—3402021–222405010203202022–232512120—292Total1003141101201265Universitatea Cluj 2023–24Liga I22030——250Aktobe2024Kazakhstan Premier League2415020203312025180004010230Total421506030561Bihor Oradea 2025–26Liga II62———62Sepsi OSK2026–27Liga I6020——80Career total421173321827047921
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsRomania201520202210Total30
Honours
Universitatea Craiova Liga II: 2013–14 Cupa României: 2020–21 Supercupa României: 2021
Aktobe Kazakhstan Cup: 2024 Kazakhstan Super Cup runner-up: 2025
References
External links